The Gambia Press Union USA Branch (GPU-USA) And Save The Gambia Democracy Project (STGDP), a pro-democracy movement working for the restoration of good governance, rule of law and press freedom in The Gambia, jointly condemn the recent arrests, prosecution and subsequent sentencing of the six Gambian journalists to two years imprisonment.

These two groups further condemn the Gambian Government's continued suppression of press freedom, its flagrant human rights abuses and its coercive policies against the good of the country and her people. We demand a total end to the disappearances of innocent Gambian citizens, the manipulation of the judiciary and the violation of the Gambian Constitution.


The recent unjust sentencing of the six innocent Gambian journalists, which included a frail lactating mother, is the height of brutality. It is yet another clear demonstration of President Yahya Jammeh's willingness to go to any length in his efforts to root out dissent and deny his constituents their rights of free speech as enshrined in the Constitution.

Despite the numerous condemnations from the European Union, the United States State Department, Amnesty International, Media foundations and women’s rights groups from all over the world for the unconditional release of these journalists; the Jammeh regime has shown no sign of bowing to pressure. Thus, we ask that more pressure be brought to bear on Jammeh for the unconditional release of these innocent journalists, and for a total end to the harassment of the Gambian press.

It is our stand that Jammeh's impunity should be met with unrelenting pressure from international organizations and organized Gambian groups. The international community must be continuoulsy reminded to pay attention to the daily plight of Gambians as they exercise their rights of speech and association, as they languish in jails, and as they disappear beyond any trace. The international community must increase the pressure on Jammeh to live up to the obligations of humanity and of international norms and conventions.

We call on the United States Government, the European Union, the United Nations, Media foundations and organized Gambian groups to not only issue condemnations but also follow through to ensure concrete actions with proven results are being taken against Jammeh and his government officials.

Such actions should include, but not limited to, a travel ban on Jammeh, the suspension of diplomatic relations, the withholding of financial and military aid, and the issuance of an open international warning that the world would not sit idly by and watch Jammeh continue his spates of arrest, imprisonment and torture. In addition, we call on all civic Gambian organizations to increase their participation on the important matters of Gambian rights and liberties and to expand the profile of the Gambian condition to the international audience.

We hereby pledge on the following:

• The collaboration of the STGDP and the GPU USA and any other civic Gambian organizations in the pursuit of democratic gains and palliative recourses to justice in The Gambia.

. The creation of a Media and Emergency Fund to help defray costs of legal fees and render financial assistance to the needy families of the victims of the capricious Gambian judicial system.

• The strategic coordination and harmonization of international efforts in the advocacy against the Banjul Administration on the important issues of press freedom, good governance and respect for the rule of law.

*All Gambians and friends of the Gambia are urged to contribute to the Media and Emergency Fund on a monthly basis to support this much needed battle against impunity in the Gambia. Please send all your contributions to Joseph (Joe) Sambou, GPU USA Treasurer at 8046 South Kimbark Avenue Chicago, IL 60619. You may also request the account number from Joseph by sending an email to bork200@hotmail.com or gpuna@freegambia.net


Signed: On behalf of

Baba Galleh Jallow GPU-USA Secretary General
&
Banka Manneh, Chairman STGDP

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